Wednesday, 31 December 2014

It’s NYE and tonight we kiss 2014 a big
goodbye and dive into 2015. This is both really exciting and super scary for
me. I can’t quite wrap my head around how quickly the time flies to be honest!
It seems like it was only yesterday that I sat down and made my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions.
This past year has literally slipped through my fingers but what a year has
been regardless! I feel like I’ve grown
up, became more independent and a lot more confident at what I do and who am I
as a person. I’ve gained a lot and lost a lot. But that’s life I guess. I
wanted to say a huge thank you to all of you for the massive support for the
past twelve months; you made my year incredible and made me truly happy and motivated to continue doing what I do! I am
really looking forward to see what 2015 has in store for all of us but before that
I wanted to share the top 10 things 2014 has taught me. It was definitely the
year of life lessons, so let’s reflect and see what I’ve learned…

Fall in love with yourself first.

Let go of the people who bring you down.
Life is too short.

It’s okay not to be
okay.

But it won’t always
be this way. Things will fall back into place sooner then you think.

Embrace change –
something wonderful may come out of it.

Be opinioned and always
stand up for yourself. People will respect that.

Treat others as you
want to be treated.

Always be kind and
spread positivity.

Pick your battles
wisely. Sometimes it’s just not worth it.

Hard work pays off.
Always.

Thank you for joining me for the very last
post of 2014 and now go and get yourselves ready for an amazing NYE and may the
new year be truly wonderful for all of you!

Tuesday, 30 December 2014

Glitter season is at its peak at the moment
and seeing as tomorrow is NYE, I thought there is no better time to introduce
you to my new nail polish guilty pleasure. Meet Essie Rock At The Top (here).
This little glitter laden gem offers the right amount of party fun, while still
looks beautifully elegant and chic. Personally, I cannot think of a better way
to welcome 2015 then go all out and coat every single one of my nails with
stunning golden flecks. Rock At The Top captured my heart with the first
application with its perfect golden shade, which is vibrant and not too yellow
– my fave! It sparkles gorgeously on
the nails and works some serious ‘catching the light’ wonders. It basically
screams ‘end of year party perfection’ and if you can’t sport glitter tips on
NYE, then when can you?

The easily removable formula ticks all the
boxes and as long as you apply base coat (my favorite here) you can wipe off the glitter with a single cotton pad – simples. The opacity of the polish is
ideal and you can use it either as a glitter top coat (looks especially beaut
over burgundy shades) or you can layer several coats (3 work the best for me) for
an even glitter glazed manicure. For New Year’s Eve all my nails will be coated
in crushed golden jewels for the ultimate bling-bling effect but for the rest
of the year Rock At The Top will be used as a ring finger accent. Stunning. What I love about this beauty
is that it has smooth finish unlike many other glitter polishes I own (Essie Toggle To The Top I’m looking at you!),
so no top coat is required! Love! If
you’re on a hunt for a last minute NYE nail polish companion, look this way
ladies – this one is a good’un!

Have you tried Essie Rock At
The Top? What nail polish will be gracing your nails on NYE?

Sunday, 28 December 2014

Hello everyone! I hope you all had a
fantastic Christmas and spent some quality time with your loved ones! Now that
my favorite holiday is over *insert
crying emoji* there is one last thing I wanted to do before we dive into
the New Year – share some love and introduce you to my favorite reads of 2014. They
are all brilliant bloggers with fab blogs and beautiful personalities. These
ladies have inspired and motivated me to improve RosyChicc in any way possible
and showed me what real passion is capable of doing. I’ve been checking their
blogs daily and they my made my mornings that
much more enjoyable. So grab a cuppa and enjoy their lovely company. Oh, and
have a paper and a pen at the ready – I’m sure you’ll want to add a lot of new blogs
to you list of faves!

Monday, 22 December 2014

Yes, I am one of those people who like to
dress up for Christmas and my makeup menu consists of golden eye shadows, loads
of mascara and the essential red lips with matching red nails. Pretty simple, yet super effective and
festive. I am usually not one to sport the red lip on a daily basis but the
Christmas spirit always gets to me and suddenly red is my only color option. This
year is no different, so I whipped out my current favorite show-stopping reds and
the list goes as follows…

If you’ll be rocking the bold red lip,
prepping the lips is absolutely essential and to help my lips get all soft and
smooth I like to give them a lil’ scrub with my Christmassy Santa’s Lip Scrub from Lush (here). This cola flavored gem gently gets rid of all the flakes and
dead skin cells, making sure that my lips are well prepped and ready for any
lipstick or for those very special mistletoe kisses. After I’ve discovered the wonders
that lip liners work, I cannot wear a bold lip without a lip pencil underneath,
so to define my lips I like to use this Essence
Lip Liner in14 Femme Fatale
(here). This baby just glides on and
its uber creamy and soft formula doesn’t drag or dry out the lips and also prolongs
the wear of any lippy. Score!

After I rummaged my stash, trying to narrow
down my lipsticks options I came out with three classic red lippies, one from
each category. We have a regular lipstick, a lip pencil and a liquid lipstick
thrown in the mix. All very affordable and with brilliant long-lasting formulas
that will keep your smudged-lipstick worries at bay. For a beautiful completely
matte finish, we have this gorgeous Sephora
Cream Lip Stain in01 Always Red
(here+ swatcheshere). You know how much I adore this little stunner and its feminine
red shade that dries a touch darker then the other three and which perks up my skin
tone beautifully thanks to its cooler undertones! It goes opaque in one swipe
and it doesn’t budge through eating, drinking, talking and kissing. The perfect dinner party companion! If you
fancy a classic red with a slight hint of pink then this Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate in #22
(here+ swatcheshere) is the one to swatch. It’s the brightest of the bunch and I
adore its hydrating formula and the lovely semi-matte finish. It has ‘glamorous’
written all over it and it’s a total winner in my books. Christmas Eve lippy – sorted! If you are after a nice classic
red, which has the perfect blend of blue and orange undertones in it, then this
Maybelline Color Drama Lip Pencil in
Light It Up (here + swatches here) is what you need in your life. It has that Old Hollywood vibe
we all know and love it is completely foolproof to apply. The longevity is spot
on and it stays on until you say so. Brilliant.

For second year in a row my nails will be
happily painted with Essie Toggle To
The Top (here + swatches here).
Christmas in a bottle is the best description I could give it and I am smitten
by the gorgeous deep burgundy red shade with ruby red glitters running though *insert a heart eyed emoji*! Pop some top
coat on for smoothing properties and you’re done. For a quick and easy classic
red mani this Bourjois 1 Seconde Gel nail polish in#11 Rouge In
Style (here + swatches here) is your best bet. One coat
is all you need to get full blown color and the fact that this baby takes only
30 seconds to dry makes it my best friend. Oh and the fab silicone gel texture
is to die for as well – it gives a good week of wear and beautiful high gloss
finish – love. Nails Inc. Tate
(here) is a perfect option if you like deeper red nails. This gem peps
up all skin tones and I just love how sophisticated and classy it is. It
doesn’t hang around for ages like the other two but the beautiful shiny finish
makes up for that. It's a good'un.

Thursday, 18 December 2014

Cosy winter nights in have become a regular occurrence
here in the RosyChicc household and I just love to get all warm and fuzzy while
it’s cold and miserable outside. Now with the holiday season right around the
corner it’s the perfect time to relax and get those positive vibes fill you in.
I have a lil’ list of evening loveliness that involves switched off phone, a hot
uplifting bath and endless snuggles in cosy loungewear and beautiful aromas filling
up the room. Divine. If you want to
know exactly how I get cozied up and ready for a good night sleep, read on…

It wouldn’t be a cosy evening without
soaking in a lovely hot bath, am I right ladies? That’s my favorite way to warm
both by body and soul and it’s the very thing that calms my mind and preps me for
a nice trip to lala land. Recently I’ve been loving this The Bathory Deton Bath Soak (here),
which is infused with Chamomile, Frankincense and Sandalwood organic oils and
not only smells divine but also draws out the toxins of your body. Brilliant
isn’t it! After I’m done with my bath I like to do my skincare routine (nothing
beats the amazing feel and freshly cleansed and moisturized skin, right?) and
then it’s time for a cuppa (this Gifts & Pieces mug though!). I usually go for peppermint tea but if I fancy
treating myself a cup of hot chocolate topped by unreasonable amount of marshmallows
is a must. Before I jump in bed I fill in my Christmassy knitted hot water
bottle from Primark (similar here) for some added cosiness and
warmth – love!

After I tuck myself in my little sanctuary
(a.k.a my bed) I make sure that I’m covered in multiple layers of loungewear,
including my beloved fuzzy Polka Dot OYSHO
sweatshirt (very similar here), which is softer and warmer then a hug and it’s the epitome of coziness
in my books. I can never feel warm and cozy enough until I have a pair of fluffy socks on. They are cute, they
are fun and so soft and squishy – such a staple in my cosy routine and I can’t
be without a pair! I am quite the cold feet sufferer and when I really want to
warm things up I also put on my trusty Primark
slip-on slippers (here),
which are reserved only for in-bed time. They keep me super warm and I love comfy
they are, creating the barefoot feeling, minus the cold. Get a pair!

Now that I’m all snug and cosy it’s scented
candle time! My favorite part and this divine Jo Malone Lime Basil & Mandarin Candle (here) has been keeping me the best company. It’s not your typical spicy
wintery scent but I love that it offers an incredible spa-like experience. It’s
warming but fresh at the same time and the hint of citrus still makes me feel a
bit festive. While I enjoy the beautiful candle scent and sipping on my tea I
like to switch off my phone, get off social media and just relax. Reading a
nice book, catching up on some YouTube videos (how amazing everyone’s Vlogmas
is this year!) or just watching a funny film – take your pick. I personally
find that reading a book is what calms me the most and I love to just dive into
the magic world of the characters. I’m currently rereading Pride and Prejudice (here)
and I just can’t put it down! Last but not least, I like to give my pillow a
few pre-snooze sprites of my favorite This
Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray (here).
Inhaling the calming Lavender, Vetivert & Wild Chamomile vapors fights the physical
and mental fatigue and helps me drift off before I can count to 10. My nightly
ritual cannot be complete without it. Zzzzz

I really hope you enjoyed this
post and don’t forget to let me know what some of your cosy winter night essentials
are?

Sunday, 14 December 2014

Christmas is right around the corner and I
cannot even contain my excitement eep! It’s my favorite time of the year and I
just love everything about it - the amazing time spent with my loved ones, the
delicious food, the smile on people’s faces when they open up their presents,
the fairy lights, the carols – everything. The magic atmosphere just makes me so
happy and I like to make the most out of it while it lasts. Every year I make a
little list of things to do before Christmas to help me get into the festive
spirit even more. There isn’t anything particularly groundbreaking but I
decided to share some my favorite activities with you so that you can get some
ideas and hopefully make some unforgettable memories this season.

Go Ice Skating

Get your skates on and go slice the ice in
an outdoor skate rink! That’s the epitome of Christmas for me and I absolutely
love it. Ice-skating has become a tradition of my dad and I and we do it at
least once every year. Even though he is pretty much a pro and I can barely
stay on the ice – we do have tons of fun and the amazing atmosphere and the lovely
Christmas carols playing in the background never fail to put me in the festive
mood.

Bake Christmas Cookies

Even though you might not be world’s finest
baker, making Christmas cookies is always fun and definitely my favorite
Christmas family tradition. We spend the whole day in the kitchen experimenting
with recipes, laughing and listening to festive songs whilst being covered in
flour and food coloring. Fun times and I love how divine and Christmassy the
house smells during the process! Here
is my favorite Christmas cookies recipe that I shared last year – it’s
incredible!

Make Tasty Winter Beverages

What a better way to warm both your body and
spirit then fixing yourself a delicious spicy wintery drink. I just love to snug
in bed, watching Vlogmas and sip on some traditional Christmassy beverages. My
absolutely faves are Mulled Wine and Eggnog (my recipe here), which are both firm classics and with a good reason. If you
fancy something non-alcoholic then making a hot chocolate or a gingerbread
latte are both easy and effective ways to set the festive mood. Yum.

Watch Christmas Films And Listen To Carols

These are the most obvious ones but also the
most affective if you are lacking in the Christmas mood department. Make a
festive playlist on Spotify or listen to the ones on YouTube whilst getting
ready in the morning and it will definitely help you feel more Christmassy. I
have Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want For Christmas Is You’ on repeat as we speak and
I’m already counting down the days! Also, watching some traditional Christmas
movies with your better half or best friends is also a must and if Elf or Home
Alone don’t get you into the festive spirit I don’t know what will.

Visit The Christmas Markets

Now this is definitely my favorite outdoor
activity to do before Christmas! Paying a visit to the traditional German
Christmas Markets with Alex every year is our way to dive into the whole Christmas
spirit even more and I cannot wait to hit them next week! I love this little festive
place, which is always so beautifully decorated and that involves loads of delicious
food and drinks. We always indulge in some mulled wine and roasted chestnuts while
looking around and picking new baubles for our Christmas tree, which btw is yet
to go up, oops!

Say Yes To Festive Fashion

Festive clothing is my utter weakness when
it comes to Christmas and it’s also the very thing that makes me super excited
about the holidays. I do like to dress myself as if I’ve just come out of Santa’s
Grotto, I can’t help it! There are tons of pieces available these days – from
stylish to funny – they all contribute to the festive feels. Christmas jumper
has always been a fashion essential this time of year and I can’t really say no
to a new pair of fluffy socks or leggings either. They are just too cute! Now you know what to get me for Christmas,
mum!

Get Involved With a Charity

Last be certainly not least, I’d say get
involved with a Charity of your choice. Christmas is all about giving and helping
the less-fortunate experience even a little of the Christmas magic is truly the
best thing you could do. Let’s all do something good this season and warm a
heart, or more!

I hope you enjoyed this post
and don’t forget to let me know which are some of your favorite things to do
before Christmas?

Thursday, 11 December 2014

Concealer, lipstick and mascara. That’s my makeup
trusty trio that I almost always have slapped on and barely leave the house
without. Out the three though, I’d say that I take my lash companion the most
serious and there’s a wordy list of requirements that my mascaras need to meet.
I want them to: volumise, separate, lengthen, hold curl and be easy to remove.
Quite the list but thankfully the three luxurious miracle workers below live up
to their claims and have my lash requirements sorted. Say hello to my ultimate lash
confidence boosters…

If you’re regular round these parts this
will come as no surprise, but on the top of my list and forever in my heart is
this Too Faced gem. Where do I even start? It has everything on my mascara
checklist sorted and I absolutely adore the results it gives. Out of all three,
LashGASM offers the biggest separation and length and I love how bright and
awake it makes my eyes look. You can layer up to three coats of this gem
depending on the effect you’re after. Be it natural-looking or dramatic doll-like
lashes – this baby has got you covered. My favorite thing about LashGASM is the
super thin wand that gets right in the root of the lash, defining each hair
beautifully. And the best part is that this mascara has some lash-loving ingredients
such as Panthenol, Vitamin A & E and Jojoba Seed Oil, which hydrate and
nourish the hairs. Fab. See it in
action here.

If you just can’t stay away from big and
crazy voluminous lashes, then this YSL offering is what you need in you life.
Shocking gives my lashes a massive volume boost and I constantly get asked if I
have falsies on when I sport it. Pretty good evidence of the wonders it works
if you ask me. It ticks all the boxes on the lengthening and separating front
as well and the flawless clump and smudge-free formula is seriously on point. I
also adore its intense black color – it transforms the lashes from barely there
to ‘wow’ in one quick sweep. Shocking is definitely a night-out staple in my
collection and it simply rocks. Oh and let’s have a moment for the beautiful
luxurious tube this baby is housed in. Lovely.

I know that everyone and their dog have been
raving about this gem for the past couple of years but it is seriously that good. It maximises my lashes
effortlessly in two coats and the spike-y wand hugs even the little hard-to-get
corner lashes, which I love. Pair They’re Real with a nice eyelash curler and
it will hold your curl for hours and hours. No more pointing down the floor
lashes then? Yes please. It also elongates and defines the hairs beautifully
and the rich jet black color is the perfect finishing touch. The formula is
definitely a favorite too: No clumps? Check.
No smudging? Check. No flakes? Check. Bye-bye panda eye! LOVE.

Have you tried any of these
babies before? Which is your favorite high-end mascara?

Tuesday, 9 December 2014

You know me – little miss late on the
bandwagon, but as they say better late then never right? This time around I
have the lovely people at Cohorted
(your new favorite site for lower-prices beauty gems) to thank for finally
introducing me to this heavenly Benefit
Rockateur* blush. It has been gracing my cheeks for the past couple of
months but it has already earned a Holy Grail status. Despite the not-so-pretty
packaging this little stunner is any rose gold lover’s dream. Allow me to
explain…

All fellow fair-skinned gals out there will
be more that pleased to hear that your newest blush best friend comes in the
form of Rockatuer. The luxurious brownish rose gold peach shade compliments both
pale and deeper skin tones beautifully and adds a hint of gentle sun kissed
glow to the skin. This complexion-warming gem adds the perfect natural glow and
instantly perks up the dull skin, which makes it a staple in my winter makeup
bag. Rockateur has stunning sheeny finish thanks to the super fine shimmer
running through the blush. I love how it highlights the cheeks and don’t worry
– it’s really subtle and not glitter-laden at all. This beauty doesn’t seep
into pores and doesn’t accentuate imperfections either – score.

I favor semi-pigmented blushes and Rockateur
definitely delivers on those counts. With it you don’t risk end up looking as
if you’re headed to a fancy dress party and I love that you can slowly build it
up to the look you’re going for. This gem is really finely milled and has super
soft, almost creamy, texture that blends beautifully and makes the complexion
look seriously dreamy. As with any other Benefit blush I own, Rockateur has
brilliant longevity and hangs around for the whole day with minor fading around
the nine-hour mark. Impressive, er? Pop this baby to you Christmas wishlist
ladies, you won’t regret it!

Have you tried Benefit
Rockateur before? Isn’t it just marvelous? Which is your favorite Benefit blush?

Sunday, 7 December 2014

There is something about liquid lipsticks
that really floats my boat, especially during wintertime. It might be the
thicker formula, which weirdly enough I love. It might be the rich color
pay-off that gives you full-blown color in one swipe. Or it might be the all-day
longevity and the fact that you don’t need to stop in the middle of the street on
the coldest day for awkward checkups and reapplication. I don’t really know but
one thing is for sure – the liquid lipsticks / lip creams rock and sporting
them during the colder months has become a regular thing. I have four fab
shades here, all with different formulas and textures and I am obsessed.

This is the very product that is currently
living in my makeup bag. And I adore everything about it. The stunning complexion-warming
reddish nude owns my heart and it looks especially gorgeous during A/W, paired
with a nice jumper and jeans for a casual pop of color. It really reminds me of
something that Kylie Jenner would wear, so take notes ladies! The formula is
incredible and if you are familiar with the Rouge Edition Velvet range you know
what I am talking about - beautiful matte finish, opaque in just two thin coats
and non-drying formula that stays on for ages. Can I find a fault? Not really.

For a bit brighter and more pinky option,
this NYX beauty has been a firm favorite for the past few months. Bonfire is a
gorgeous mid-toned red pink, which peps up any skin tone and adds a hint of
warmth into my complexion, which is much needed for the colder days. It is
bright, yet not in your face and I love that you can sport it for any occasion.
The Xtreme Lip Creams have lovely formula, which feels really hydrating and
soft on the lips, offer extreme pigmentation
and don’t budge for hours. I’d suggest you give your lips a nice exfoliation
prior to applying Bonfire though as it tends to cling into imperfection and dry
patches a little. Do that and this will help the lip cream glide on evenly for
the perfect juicy pout. Full review here.

An oldie but a total goodie but this gem
will always have a place in my heart (and stash). Apocaliptic is the boldest of
the bunch and I love its semi matte finish and the bright fuchsia shade. It
perks up my complexion and I love how vivid, vibrant and flattering it is.
Apocaliptic feels comfortable on the lips, giving a nice touch or moisture and
the applicator help to distribute the color evenly. The longevity is great considering
that the lacquer practically melts into the lips. Oh, and it fades evenly, so
that’ gets big thumbs up from me as well!

Say hello to the crème de la crème of the liquid
lipsticks! It has everything on my checklist sorted and it leaves me smitten
each time I rock it. This Sephora beauty has front row in my lipstick
collection, especially during the Christmas party season. It’s the perfect
Christmassy red – not too bright not too deep. It’s right in the middle and it’s
a classic shade that suits all skin tones beautifully and makes me feel extra feminine.
It is intensely pigmented, feels lightweight, and dries completely matte. Love. Once it sets it doesn’t move until
you say so. It never peels, cracks or fades awkwardly. It’s a keeper and
definitely one to check out. Review here.

Have you tried any of these
products before? Which if your favorite liquid lipstick, I need to add some
more to my stash?

Saturday, 6 December 2014

After all the times Essie Cashmere Bathrobe (here)
has made an appearance here on RosyChicc, I decided that it finally deserves an
ode on its own with swatches and the whole shebang. This little stunner has
been gracing my nails for the past couple of months and it is one of those
shades that you just want to keep reapplying without paying attention to
anything else in your collection. It’s such a special and unique color that’s absolutely
perfect for both everyday wear and for any seasonal party. The gorgeous blend
of dark gray, blue and crystal shimmer is a winning combo and I love how the
light catches and reflects the tiny sparkles, adding to its effortlessly
sophisticated vibe. Cashmere Bathrobe (let’s
have a moment for the name!) flatters any complexion beautifully, so if
you’re on a hunt for the perfect shimmery winter shade, this beauty is well
worth checking out!

Formula wise, this is one of Essie’s finest launches
and the reason for that is threefold. Firstly, we have the fab user-friendly
brush that is wide enough to cover the nail in one go and which gets the polish
right up to the cuticle. Minus the mess - score.
Secondly, Cashmere Bathrobe goes opaque in just two thin coats and the non-streaky,
fast-drying formula is a total winner. And
lastly – the longevity is spot on. We are talking 5+ days of wear with no chips
or tip wear in sight – brilliant!

Thursday, 4 December 2014

I don’t think I’ve ever been this smitten by
a lip product line as I am with the new Maybelline
Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils (here).
Our love affair started last week when I got my hands to Berry Much and after
falling head over heels in love with it my obsession had to be taken to the
next level and I got involved with two more shades. And I adore them. The formula, the shade range, the easy-to-apply shape
– everything is dreamy. These lip kohls just tick all the boxes. The report
goes as follows:

The formula of these gems is bloomin’
marvelous and a total winner in my books. It definitely measures up to the high-end
boys and the Maybelline offerings are a brilliant dupe for the NARS Velvet Matte
Lip Pencils (here). The Color Drama
pencils are extremely rich and opaque in one swipe. They are velvety soft and
give the lips nice coat of moisture with no drying or priming required. I love
how soft and uber creamy they feel and they glide on effortlessly ensuring a quick
and easy bold lip. These sticks of perfection stay on for good three hours, going
strong through lots of eating, drinking and talking. Lovely. The good news don’t stop here and even though the shades
are rather intense they don’t fade awkwardly as most bold drugstore lippies
tend to. One advice though – avoid the kisses ladies – the Color Drama pencils
transfer. Easily. Ask my little niece,
she would know.

The shade range of the Maybelline lip pencils
is downright amazing. I am convinced that I need every shade available and I am
pretty sure that by the end of the year my collection will be complete. Can’t
resist – they are too beaut! The three gems I have so far are Berry Much, Light It Up and Red
Essentials. Berry Much gives the
perfect berry pout and I adore the purple / fuchsia undertones, which pep up my
skin beautifully. It is classy and bold and reminds me of my favorite MAC Rebel
(here). Couldn’t get any better that
that really. Light It Up is the
brightest of the bunch and its classic red shade is to doe for and makes channeling
my inner Marilyn Monroe that much easier. Pop it on, apply some golden
eyeshadow, add a dash of mascara and you are Christmas party-ready. Simples. Red Essentials is a hauntingly beautiful deep, vampy red that
really reminds me of the iconic Rimmel Kate in 107 (here). The cherry tint is rather stunning and I know I’ll be
reaching for it a lot during the colder months for a quick sophisticated and
feminine lip. It’s love, I tell ya!

Have you tried the Maybelline
Color Drama Velvet Lip Pencils yet? Do you love them as much as I do?